Magna veritas: or, John Gadbury, (student in physick and astrology) not a Papist, but a true Protestant of the Church of England / Published for the satisfaction of all such as know not the said John Gadbury and yet give credit to all kinds of scandals and falshoods that pass upon his much injured reputation since his late unfortunate confinement.

  • John Gadbury
Date:
1680
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Magna veritas: or, John Gadbury, (student in physick and astrology) not a Papist, but a true Protestant of the Church of England / Published for the satisfaction of all such as know not the said John Gadbury and yet give credit to all kinds of scandals and falshoods that pass upon his much injured reputation since his late unfortunate confinement. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    lome World,and ('which Iefteemalmoftmiraculous)have been fo happy therein, as never to have had any Law-fuit with any. man excepting one, and that was in behalf of two Orphans committed to my charge *, and had I not then contended for them, they, poor wretches! (^altogether un¬ able to help themfelves } had been exceedingly injured of their Right. s). 4. As to any Spirit of Contention or Contradi&ion, fac. whereby the world is commonly governed and guided, I appeal to the Neighbourhood among whom I have lived. Whether I have ever been guilty of yeilding to any fuch ? and whether my demeanour hath not been rather peacea¬ ble and preferving, than any way difturbant or trouble- fome to any of them ? [ It is true , fome fcribling differ¬ ences I have had, but I never began a quarrel with any man; and men that are affaulted, mult forfeit their reafon if they do not defend themfelves.] Nay, I blefs and magnifie the God of Heaven (who by his good Angels hath fo happily condu&ed me in all my afiions of this life ) that I can juftly interrogate with good old Samuel, —Whofe oxe have I taken P or, whofe afs have 1 driven afide P or whom have I wronged of a fhoo-latchet, or a thred P Let thofe that know me fpeak, whether I have not been rather helpful than hurtful to the people among whom I-have at any time lb ved or relided ? 5. If this truth be diftrufted, I amfure the Keepers of the Prifon where I am confined, will be fo juft as to wit- nefs the fame for me , from the many fad complaints they (almoftj) d&yly hear from feveral poor people of my Neigh¬ bourhood, by reafon of my unfortunate reftraint, whereby I am incapacitated and debarred from doing the common good I was conftantly accuftomed to do, though, Iconfefs, it was no more than my duty as a man, but much more as a Chriftian : for, non nobis nati fumus ; and even the brute beafis that perifh, would be as valuable as mankind, were it not for thefe diftinguifhing a£fs of our Charity and Rea¬ fon towards people in diftrefs. §.6, Albeit, I muft and do acknowledg, that Gods cbafliftng hand is never either upon a Perfon, Family, or Nation, tor nought. He is a JujlJudg^ and the punifli- ' ments